What does it actually mean to “take God’s name in vain”? In this Christmas-season conversation, Charlie and Brian trace the commandment back to its Jewish roots, where names carry authority, responsibility, and consequence. From the ineffable Name to performative Christianity, from “the war on Christmas” to costly signaling, this episode invites us to examine how power, faith, and compassion intertwine. If we claim the name of Christ, the question is not what we say, but how we live.

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Creation’s Paths: A Creation Spirituality Primer

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Chapters:

00:00 Introduction

00:28 The Phrase “Taking the Lord’s Name in Vain”

01:12 Host Introductions

01:57 Understanding the Ten Commandments Context

03:38 The Sacred Name and Ancient Taboos

05:51 Moses and the Power of God’s Presence

07:08 Sacred Names and Holy Objects

08:40 Jesus and the Name of God

10:25 Taking on the Name of Christ

11:48 Performative Christianity at Christmas

13:03 The War on Christmas

14:48 The History of “Xmas”

16:41 Evolution of Religious Language

18:31 Personal Responsibility and Authority

20:28 Virtue Signaling and Costly Signaling

22:26 Judging by Fruits, Not Words

25:04 Approaching Sincere vs. Performative Beliefs

27:00 Reflection Questions

27:19 Invitation to Dialogue